Actress Diane Ladd Dies At 89, Daughter Laura Dern Announces

Diane Ladd was one of my closest, oldest and dearest friends. We shared having our children, making our movie, and did a lot of growing up together. It was a wild, sentimental ride. She was a great lady, a fun pal and a fine writer. I will miss her painfully, and yes, joyfully. My heart goes out to Laura, Bruce and the rest of Diane’s family. BTW, I think Laura was in her mommy’s tummy when this picture was taken. I would like to share an email Diane sent me. Her words tell you exactly the kind of person she was. “We are all in this together. Let the children of this world stand on our shoulders in the hopes that they may see further than we have. Let us and our children be kinder, hold the door open for the next one, less judgmental, regardless of race or religion or the size of the pocketbook. Let me wish each one of you, all that I wish myself – and more that by this time next year, we have truly begun to fulfill our Destinies with joy and much love in Light.” God will bless you I know, dear friend. You are one of His special angels.

At the 64th Oscars, Diane Ladd and Laura Dern made history as the first mother-daughter duo to receive acting nominations for their performances in the same film, RAMBLING ROSE. Diane Ladd had a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary. Every performance carried a pulse, alive with humor, heartbreak, and humanity. She didn’t just portray women; she honored them. From sharp-tongued resilience to quiet vulnerability, her characters felt like people we knew, or maybe parts of ourselves we’d forgotten. A three-time Oscar nominee for ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, WILD AT HEART, and RAMBLING ROSE, she brought authenticity and empathy to every role she touched. Her characters weren’t just seen, they were understood.

God speed Diane Ladd. One of the most versatile actors we have ever seen, and do it so well, for so long. Her smack as Flo in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore is such an epic performance.

Sad to hear that we’ve lost another great actress. Diane Ladd has died at age 89. Her daughter, Laura Dern, followed her into acting. They became the first mother-daughter pair to snag Oscar noms for the same film, “Rambling Rose” (1991).